But Wagner’s countryman, Collin Quaner, will have good reason to remember the cup. Huddersfield’s new recruit from Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin marked his debut by opening the scoring.

Injury-hit Rochdale suffered another blow with Steve Davies – who had scored three goals in three cup matches- accepting he could no longer delay minor knee surgery

Things went from bad to worse for the home team as a dazed –looking Calvin Andrew was led off after just nine minutes, following a clash of heads with Huddersfield defender Mark Hudson.

With so many first team regulars missing, Hill could take comfort from the fact his club has set up a terrific supply line of young talent. Rochdale’s Academy has just been voted on of the best three in the country.

Wagner’s mix and match policy reached new extremes in the second half. He sent on big central defender Michael Hefele to play as a makeshift striker, and pushed Quaner out wide in place of Elias Kachunga. But it worked, with Hefele scoring twice.

On loan Chelsea striker Izzy Brown rounded off great showing with a goal

Losing a cup match was a rare experience for Rochdale goalkeeper Conrad Logan – he was in the Hibernian side that won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years last year.

Wagner somehow remained stony-faced when the Terriers fans celebrated victory with a chant aimed at his under-pressure Liverpool counterpart – “David Wagner, he’s better than Klopp!”.

Huddersfield next five games

Brighton (H) 2 Feb – Championship

Leeds (H) 5 Feb – Championship

QPR (A) 11 Feb – Championship

Rotherham (A) 14 Feb – Championship

Reading (H) 18 Feb – Championship

Rochdale next five games

Bristol R (H) 4 Feb – League 1

Charlton (H) 7 Feb – League 1

Fleetwood (A) 11 Feb – League 1

Bolton (A) 14 Feb – League 1

Millwall (H) 18 Feb – League 1

Huddersfield boss David Wagner:”Collin Quaner was fantastic & got his first goal in difficult circumstances. He also had a great assist for the fourth” The conditions were not right for our style so we totally changed at half time and found a way, we fought in a tough game”

Rochdale boss Keith Hill:”As the Human League once said – we’re only human, born to make mistakes”